Referrer Question
 

I am confused. It is my understanding that the HTTP referrer shows pages that link to my site. So, if you click through to my forums from the link in my profile here, it will show that you came from here.

But in my stats, I see tons of links from pages that DON'T have a link to me. Especially registration pages of other vbulletin forums. I viewed the source of a sampling of the pages to ensure they aren't directly linking to images on my site or anything. I have all kinds of blogs and such showing up on my referrer list with no trace of a link to my site on their pages.

What's going on? I must be missing something here.

Amy

It's not necessarily a link. If I came to your site now by typing it in the address bar it'd still count as a referral. I wouldn't take the HTTP referrer seriously though, it's so easy to spoof it and block it :)

somebody must have some sort of a spoofing circle thing going on then. Because I doubt a bunch of people have gone to vbulletin sites, clicked the register page, and then suddenly decided to come to my forums :D I mean, my site is fun and compelling, but I don't think it's THAT aluring.

Amy